Visa problems might force Aditi Chauhan, who made history in August when she became the first Indian woman to play competitive football in the United Kingdom, to return home before her stint is up. A few days ago, Chauhan was awarded the Asian Woman Footballer of the Year by the BBC. The 23-year old, who plays as a goal-keeper for the West Ham Ladies team, faces deportation as her visa cannot be renewed owing to rules laid down by the Football Association. Chauhan had originally come to the UK on a student visa and signed a one-year deal with the third-division club West Ham Ladies. With her student visa on the verge of expiring, she had hoped to continue her stay with a work visa sponsored by her team, the West Ham Ladies. However, it is a third-division club and according to regulations, players playing for such semi-professional clubs are not permitted to get a work visa.

When Chauhan first came to the UK, she had tried out for the Milwall Lionesses, a second division club, but was unable to join then as players on student visas were not permitted to a join a club in the first two divisions. In an interview with the The Telegraph, Chauhan pointed out the absurdity of her situation, "I was not allowed to play in the first or second division at first, but now I'm not allowed to play in any divisions but those. It's just ridiculous and stupid". Chauhan's brother Aaditya Chauhan has started a petition in India asking the Indian government to help her get a work visa.